Real Estate Blog

It is not only the down payment that should be a concern for prospective Canadian homebuyers. Closing costs can come up to a not inconsiderable sum and may be as much as 4 percent of the selling price of a Canadian home. Those looking to buy a home need to account for the fees and expenses associated with closing on a home. In many instances, payment is required prior to closing.

Understand more about closing costs and the need to budget for specific fees before taking the steps to purchase a home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Closing Costs: Deposit and Down Payment

Closing costs may vary depending on whether or not prospective

When investing in a home upgrade or adding on to the existing property, it might be tempting to defray costs by skipping the steps required to get a building permit. On the other hand, perhaps a home was purchased that has been revamped without a permit. It may not be obvious to a home inspector that unpermitted work exists prior to the purchase of a home, as some projects lie behind walls or other areas not easy to access or hard to observe. Read on to learn more about unpermitted work.

How to Spot Unpermitted Work

Regardless of when the project occurred or who performed it, the owner is held legally responsible, so how do they spot unpermitted work? Step one is to look at the home’s blueprints to see if changes have been made. Step two is to

Known for its many wineries and beaches, the Kelowna community is a charming small city beloved by full-time residents and tourists alike. Kelowna's warm summers make it popular with people looking for outdoor recreation activities. Kelowna also has a wide selection of restaurants, shops, and other hotspots for residents to enjoy. And with the area's abundant winter activities, spending time outdoors is a year-round affair. As such an outdoorsy city, it's only natural that many of the best neighbourhoods in Kelowna are ideal for walkers. Continue reading to learn about the most walkable neighbourhoods in and around Kelowna.

Stroll Through Downtown Kelowna

Downtown Kelowna Amenities

• Sapphire Nightclub
• Kelowna Community Theatre

Kelowna is a city of about 143,000 people on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. The name derives from an Okanagan word for "grizzly bear." The entire metropolitan area has about 220,000 people.

The area is popular for skiing in winter and boating, golfing, hiking, and biking in summer. In addition to allowing for all-season fun, the mild climate is ideal for growing grapes, making the city of Kelowna famous internationally for its wines. Kelowna International Airport is one of Canada's busiest and connects travellers to many major North American cities. With all of the fun things to do in Kelowna, it's no wonder that people are steadily moving to the city. Fortunately, the broad range of neighbourhoods here ensures an

It takes patience to buy the perfect home, and many factors should be considered before making any final decisions. Once a location or an approximate one has been determined along with a budget, the real work starts for homebuyers.

It's important to think long-term to make certain the home purchased suits the family's current situation and will meet potential future needs. Here are some factors to consider to ensure a solid choice is made.

Ask yourself these 10 questions to help narrow your search:

• Do you want a single-family detached house, a duplex, a townhouse, a row house or a condo?
• Do you enjoy yard work?
• Do you travel a lot?
• Do you often entertain or have house guests?
• Do you need a lot of natural light?
• Are you

Kelowna is a great area for biking in Canada. It's a cycle-friendly city, including over 240km of bike lanes on city streets, along with countless bike paths in green spaces and mountain biking trails. Here is a look at the best biking paths near Kelowna.

Mission Creek Greenway

The longest and most popular path is Kelowna's Mission Creek Greenway. Take the gravel path for an easier route called Phase 1 beneath the cottonwood trees along the stream. It's 7.3 km from Mission Creek Regional Park to Okanagan Lake. The Phase 2 part of the trail is challenging. Just follow the creek eastward from the regional park into Gallagher's Canyon, where you'll see the only volcanic formation of this kind in the world; the Layer Cake Mountain.

• Address:

If you enjoy extreme adventure activities, finding the right place to go is important. In Kelowna, you can enjoy ziplining and more to get your adrenaline going! Here are the best locations to enjoy extreme activities in Kelowna.

Okanagan Flyboard

Ever wanted to fly high like a superhero? Okanagan Flyboard is the top outfitter and lesson provider in the region that can make that happen. For those not familiar with this extreme sport, a person is connected to a boat via a pressurized tube, and they ride a board that slowly soars into the air over the water.

There is a sense of exhilaration and freedom during the experience, but there will always be a trained guide nearby to offer aid if needed. Named by Trip Advisor as the top experience of its

Old cabinets can really drag down the appearance of your kitchen. Cabinet replacement can be very expensive, but refurbishment is much more affordable. Cabinet refurbishment can be done as a DIY activity or with help from a contractor. Here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding whether to

Determine Whether You Should Refurbish or Need to Replace

Clearly, refacing or refurbishing is less costly than replacing cabinets, but which is the better choice in your situation? Refacing won’t solve issues such as a poor kitchen layout or serious rotting. Cabinets that are falling apart don’t tend to become optimally functional with refurbishment, but if you're just looking for a stylistic update, you may be able to refurbish your existing cabinets

Updating a backyard is an investment in the quality of life for residents. So many homeowners don't make use of their outdoor space, even though the yard can be just as valuable as the kitchen or the bedrooms. Those who want to renovate the backyard should keep the following ideas in mind. Read on to learn more about the best backyard renovations for your home.

Add a Water Fixture

Water in the backyard can come in the form of anything from a birdbath to a rain garden to a fountain. Homeowners can create a relaxing place for people to decompress. Those who want to save their pennies for the larger structure can consider adding a rain barrel or building a system to redistribute the water from the gutters to the garden. This tactic will nourish the

Most homeowners know that home building and home tech have definitely made some advancements in the past few years. From robots to 3D technology, developers and construction foreman now have plenty of options if they're looking to upgrade their processes. And while this progression may not be happening as quickly as burgeoning technology companies would prefer, the trends are already pointing to some rather notable achievements. Here are some of the most notable trends in home building technology on the market today.

Virtual/Augmented Reality

Before a construction crew even gets started on a site, they first need to be informed of the specific hazards they'll face when working on the property. This isn't always easy to do—especially if the